#jane lubchenco

A blessing ceremony was held on Wednesday to recognize the recent renovation of a historic building on Maui, dedicated to whale research and marine education.

The vessel will help in efforts to free whales that get entangled in fishing gear. Entanglement has been identified as a primary threat to the species, with more than 50% of humpbacks in some regions having been recently entangled, according to sanctuary staff estimates.

A blessing ceremony will be held on Wednesday for a new vessel on Maui that will support whale response and research efforts throughout the state. The 38-foot Research Vessel Koholā was named after the Hawaiian word for whale.